straus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal / Historical / Onomastic
Quick answer
What does “straus” mean?
A surname of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, also an archaic or variant spelling of 'ostrich' (from German 'Strauss').
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surname of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, also an archaic or variant spelling of 'ostrich' (from German 'Strauss')
As a surname, it may refer to individuals or families; in historical/zoological contexts, it may appear as an obsolete spelling for the large flightless bird.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in usage as a surname. The archaic bird meaning is equally obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
As a surname, carries familial and ethnic heritage connotations. The archaic bird spelling has no modern connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare as a common word; frequency is tied to the occurrence of the surname.
Grammar
How to Use “straus” in a Sentence
N/A (Proper Noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In company names or references to individuals (e.g., 'Straus Holdings').
Academic
In historical, genealogical, or onomastic studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation except to refer to a specific person.
Technical
May appear in historical zoological texts as a variant.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “straus”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “straus”
- Capitalizing when not at sentence start (it's always a proper noun).
- Mispronouncing as /strɔːs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the modern standard spelling is 'ostrich'. 'Straus' is an archaic or dialectal variant.
It is pronounced /straʊs/, rhyming with 'house'.
In contemporary English, almost never. Its use as a common noun for 'ostrich' is obsolete.
Levi Strauss, the founder of the Levi's jeans company, is a well-known bearer of the name.
A surname of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, also an archaic or variant spelling of 'ostrich' (from German 'Strauss').
Straus is usually formal / historical / onomastic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Levi Strauss', the founder of jeans, to remember it as a surname.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A
Practice
Quiz
'Straus' in modern English is primarily: